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Sept, 1a, 1928. 1,65,066

W. R. HUTTINGER HIGH VOLTAGE SWITCH Filed Jan. 29, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 18, 1926.

W. R. HUTTINGER HIGH VOLTAGE SWITCH Filed Jan. 29, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 minimum value.

Patented Sept. 18, 1928.

PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM R. HUTTINGER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

HIGH-VOLTAGE SWITCH.

Application filed January 29, 1924. Serial No. 689,256

My invention relates to electric switches, having particular relation to high-tension electric switches.

One object of my invention is to provide an electric switch which is characterized by its ruggedness of construction, yet relatiyely light weight; by its particular applicability to high-tensionlines having exceedingly h gh voltages, say 155,000 volts and over; and by its adaptability to motor operation.

Another object of my invention is to provide a high-tension switch which is unaffected by such accumulations of ice, snow, or sleet as would render inoperative the ordinary type of high-tension switches of the prior art.

A further object of my invention is to provide a disconnecting switch, comprising a pair of rigidly positioned insulators providing supports for stationary and movable switch elements, respectively, an actuating insulator, and means for so operatively associating the actuatinginsulator and the movable switch'element that thetorsional strain in the actuating insulator is reduced to a A still further object of my invention is to provide an electric switch characterized by the provision of relatively movable contact members, one of which is pivotally mounted andprovided witha reciprocatory contact portion movable into and vout. of engagement with the other of said contact members. I v r a A still further object of my invention is to provide a switch of the class described comprising a pair of relatively movable contact members, one of' which is provided with a reciprocatory contact portion: cooperating with the other of said contact members, and common actuating means for the reciprocato ry contact portion and the contact member carrying the same, the movement of said contact portion being independent of that of the supporting contact memberwithin predetermined limits. 7

Other objects and applications of my. invention, as well as details of construction and operation, whereby. my invention may be practiced, will be apparent from the following description and claims, when-taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein Figs. 1 vand 2 are side elevational and top plan views, respectively, of u l1igh-tensiofi switch constructed in accordance with my invention; Fig. 3 is a. view similar to Fig. 2, but showmg a modification; and

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the structure of Fig. 3.

In the illustrated form of embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a longitudinally extending beam 1, which may be supported on a transmission line tower (not shown), provides a rigid mounting for spaced parallel stacks of insulators 2 and 3. The upper end of the vertical insulator-stack 2 1s provided with a stationary contact element 4 having a bifurcated end portion 5 forming spring contact blades 6 and 7. The bifurcated end portion 5 is adapted to receive a reclprocatory or relatively movable contact portion 8 of a switch blade 9, a main body portion 10 of which is mounted to swing in a vertical plane on a pivot pin 11 carried by a bracket 12, the latter being supported on an upper end of the vertical or uprightinsulator-stack 3, all as will appear more fully hereinafter.

The main body portion 10 of the switch blade 9 preferably comprises members 13 and 14, corresponding ends of which are secured in perforated lugs 15 and 16 which are mounted in spaced relation on the pivot pin 11. The bracket 12 is provided with spaced lugs 17 and 18 also perforated to receive the pivot pin 11 and they are positioned intermediate the perforated portions of the lugs 15 and 16. The lugs 15 and 16 maybe further secured in position by means of nuts 19 and 21. A terminal lug 22 for switch blade 10 is mounted on the bracket 12 and it is connected by means of conductors 23 with the lugs 15 and 16.

The opposite ends of the sections 13 and 14 of the main body portion 10 are rigidly secured together by means of a connecting member 24 whichis further provided with a longitudinally extending perforation 25 adapted to receive the reciprocatory contact portion 8 of the switch blade 9. The'outer end of the reciprocatory contact 8 normally engages the spring contact blades 6 and 7 of the stationary contact element 4, when the switch is in the closed position shown in Fig. 1, and it may be guided into this position b' means of a shoulder QGformed on-thc swite i eleincnt 4, as further explained hereinafter able switchparts, I provide a third stack of insulators 30. which may be mountedintew mediate the insulator-staol-ts 2 aind3 for rotation about a vertical axis-parallel toithe plane of movement. of said movable switch parts. The lower end of the insulator-stack 30 is mounted on an anti-ifiction thrustibearing carried by the supporting structure 1 and it is provided lwi th a toothed-end portion 32adapted to mesh with abevelgear wheel 38mounted i on a shaft-3 driven-by a'motoi; (not shown).

The upper endof the-insulator-stack 39 is provided; with: a vertically extending shaft portion 35.journaled in an antifniction beari-ng 36 supported by arms 37 'andi 38 constituting 'integral extensions of the bracket 12, One .ad-

vantage. of; the foregoing. construction resides il -the fact that the .blade-carryinginsulato stack 3 and the rotatable 'insulator staok 30 a e n d-atz h s i e a en s, .5 h

stresses incident'to the actuation .of. theswitch blade :9- are to, said insnlator staclrs ndhe mm i :-e neQ 1Q s 1 e W111. presently appear Attention is directed to the f actthatanimportant feature-otmy inventionis the :pro-

v s nfm sr rsee e t elme e tin t a i e u tee ta kw and. heme able switch parts that thetorsional strain in e ix fla r a k-fi at teat me ea hes? dangoml s value witlilhelqrd ifiliyiacqumulanieamma aeaymc'mss'b designedjthat and movable switehlpaits'ivill more ay a small amountin 1'e spon se'to"fi'ela tiiily large movement of 'the"rotatab le --.i ris u1atorstaok .1 30. Thatis to "say, said mech'anisni'39isso designed that the mechanical advantageiofthe actuating insulatofistaclg 30 is large. F or purposes ofilhistliaitidn, Iflia've shownthe mechanism 39 as'a special iqnno'f screw gearing, though of course. myinvention "isnotto be limited thereby.

- This so cal led serew-jack connection .39 be.- tween ,l he insulator-stack and the rnpva'ble w h. P'a nvo el'fli Se'.Q i?im which is inoi'mt d. b'r'l'fthj e jupper end of the shaft 35 ,and a'wormfwheel w, which has been 'shdwn'as'aiqufadramt ivotal'ly inountedon'the pivot 11 interi'ne ia'te the'bra'cket lugs 17 and 18. The gi'iadrantjfl is provided with a vertically extending arm43,'the end of which is operatively associated b means of. a link 44 with-the inner end of the reciprocatory contact 8; whereby the latter may be moved in accordance with the direction of rotation of the insulator-stack 30. The quadrant- 42 u eluding; pairs of oppositely extending arms: or abutments 4-5 and 46 which are positioned on opposite sides of the body portion of the movable switch blade 9 and which are successively movable into abutting: relation with the upper and lower sides thereof, whereby the reciprocatory contact portion 8 may be actuated a predetermined amount prior to the actuation of the switch blade 9 as a whole. The point. of engagement of the quadrant 42 withthe switch blade 9 is; spaced from the mounting pin 11 su-tiieient to provide the desired leverage. iLS shown in the drawing the worm 41 has a relatively flat pitch so that the worm 41 and wheel 39 may be non-reversing under the action of the switch blade 9. This: noibreversing or non-overhauling characteristic is. particularly important since the Switchblade 9 .is locked in any desired elevatedposition regardless of whether or not power is-applied to the actuating insulatorstack 30. Should the insulator-stack S'ln-eak for any reason while theswitch blade 9 is in either its elevated or lowered positiQnS, the operating insulator-stack provides an intermediate fnlcrnm', the.parts of the switch b ade 9:0n one sideof the stack 3 counterbalancing those on the other side.

When the switch is in the closed position shown in Fig. 1, the reciprocatory contact portion 8there0fis inengagemcnt withlthe eontactblades 6 .and 7 of the stationary contact eleinent.4, aiid, the armsfi and '16. are equallyspaeed on opposite sides of thejmcinbers llfiand l tof the main'bodylportion 10'. If the iiis ulator-st.ack' 30' is norvtnrned, the quadrantifl andit hc lever arm 43 are moved, causing the reciprocatory contact 8 to he actu ated out ofcngagemcnt;with the stationary contaetjelemcnt' 4. A t vthispoint), 'the' lo'wer arms 4 5 are in engagement with the mainbody portion ;1 0 o f theswitch blade 9, so that the continued mdvernen t of the quad rant 42 causes the mainbody portion 10 to be pushed in a vertical plane about the pin 11 as a pivot, carrying with it .-the reciprocatory contact portion 8. This movement may he continued until the 'sw itch blade 9 has been actuated a desired distance from the stationary contact element 4, one snch'position being shown by dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 1.

'When the direction of rotation of the insulator-stack 3t) is rev rsed, the movable switch blade9 by reasono't'its weight will follow the downwardly moving arms 45, but should there be a tendency for the switch blade to stick in its raised positiom then the arms 4:6.vvill be actuated into engagement with the up'pcr side. of the. switch blade 9 forcibly lttl'ltitilllg the 3:: me down wardly. "Experience has shown, however, that once the switch blade 9 has started moving downward ly, the weight thereof is sufficient to cause the same to drop down onto the supporting arms 45. The lowering of the switch blade 9 continues until the outer end of the connecting member 24 engages the guiding shoulder 26 on the stationary contact element 4.

The continued movement of the quadrant 42 causes the arms 45 to be actuated out of engagement with the main body portion 10 of the switch blade 9 and the reciprocating contact portion 8 to be moved into engagement with the contact, blades 6 and 7 of the stationary contact element 4, whereupon the operation. of the actuating insulator-stack 30 may be discontinued in the usual manner. hen the switch is to be again opened, the foregoing procedure is repeated.

The modification shown in Fig. 4 differentiates over that of the preceding figures in the fact that the quadrant 42 is rigidly secured in engagement with the movable switch blade 9, say by a pin 47. The operation of this modification is similar to that of the preceding figures with the exception that relative movement between the quadrant 42 and the movable switch blade 9 does not obtain.

While I have shown only two embodiments of my invention, for the purpose of describing the same and illustrating its principles of construeti'onand of operation, it is apparent that various changes and' modifications may be made therein, without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be imposed thereon as are indicated in the appended claims or asare demandedby the prior art'.

I claim: I t i 1. In a switch, the'combination with'a stationary contact member, of an elongated'movable contact member having a. main portion and a contact portion' 'movable longitudinally of said main portion, and worrn -a'nd-wheel means for successively actuatingsaid contact portion and said movable contact member as a. whole'in timed relation. i i

2. A switch comprising relatively movable .Con tact members, of which one member is provided with a contact portion relatively movable with respect to said'last-mentioned memher, and actuating means including wormand-wheel mechanism for relatively and bodily moving said last-mentioned contact member and said contact portion.

3. In an electric-switch, the-combination with a stationary contact member, of a cooperating movable cont-act member having a main portion and a reciprocatory portion, and actuating means for said main portion and said reciprocatory portion, said actuating means including worm-and-wheel mechanism. V 2

4. In combination, a switch element, a bodily movable switch element having a main portion and a relatively movable portion adapted to co-act with said first-mentioned switch element, and screw-jack means for actuating said contact portion independently of said main portion out of engagement with said first-mentioned switch element and thereafter moving together said main portion and said contact portion.

5. A disconnecting switch comprising a stationary switch element and a pivoted switch el ment having a reciprocally mounted contact portion adapted to co-act with said stationary switch element, and worm-andwheel mechanism for relatively and for bodily moving said reciprocatory contact portion and said pivoted switch element.

6. An electric switch comprising a pair of substantially parallel insulators positioned in spaced relation, relatively movable contact members respectively mounted on said insulators, a third insulator positioned intermediate said pair of insulators and revoluble about its axis, and means extending between said revoluble insulator and at least oneof said movable contact members comprising a worm-and-wheel, said wheel being adapted to push said last-mentioned contact member between desired positions.

7. In an electric switch, the combination with a pair of stationary insulator stacks disposed in spaced relation and stationary and movable contact elements respectively carried thereby, said movable contact element having a relatively movable portion co acting with said stationary contact element, of an actuating insulator stack rotatable about its axis, and connecting means extending between said rotatable insulator stack and said movable contact element and portion comprising worm-and-whecl mechanism.

8.'IIi combination, a pair of spaced insulators rigidly secured in position, station ary and relatively movablecontact elements respectively carried thereby, said movable contact element having a reciprocally 1nounted contact portion adapted to co-act with said stationary contact element, actuating tor, a worm carried by said actuating insulator, a worm-wheel sect-ion meshing therewith, said worm-wheel section being pivotally mounted on one of said stationary insulators, a lug carried by-sairl worm-wheel section adapted to engage said movable switch element when said \\'or1nwheel has moved through a predetermined angle, and anarm carried by said worm-wheel operatively associated with said reciprocatory switch port-ion, whereby the latter may be moved a predetermined amount as said wormwheel moves through said predetermined angle.

10. An electric switch comprising a pair of stationarv insulators, a stationary contact element carried by one of said insulators, a moyable con-tact elementcomprising a main portion pivoted to the other of said insulators, a reciprocatory port-ion mounted on said main portion and adapted to co-act with said stationary contact element, a rotatable insulator provided with a worm, a wormwheel section meshing therewith and carried by .one of said stationary insulators, means for operatively associating said wormwheel section and said main contact portion, said means permitting a predetermined amount of lost motion .therebet-ween and means operatively associating said wormwheel section and said reciprocatory contact portion whereby the latter may be moved a predetermined amount while the main contact portion remains stationary.

11. An electric switch comprisinga pair of supporting insulators, relatively movable contact elements respectively mounted on said insulators, an actuating insulator positioned intermediate said pair of insulators. and means including screw gearing for operatively associating at least-one of said relat-ively movable contact elements and said actuating insulator.

12. In combination, an actuating insulator stack provided with a worm, a movable switch blade, and a wheel element having a member movable by said wor-in into abutting relation with said blade.

13. .iln a switcli,. a pair of insulator stacks, a contact element mounted on one insulator stack, a relatively movable contact element, a "bracket mounted on the other ,of said insulator stacks and affording said last-mentioned contact element a mounting, .an actuating insulator stack positioned intermediate said first-mentioned stacks having one portion thereof jonrnaled in a bearing atiIor-ded by said bracket, and screw gearing extending between said last-mentioned movable contact element and said actuating stack.

14. In combination, a switch blade, means i for actuating said switch blade, and means including 'a wheel for establishing a lost motion screw-jack connection therebetween, whereby the strain in said actuating means ma be reduced to a minimum value, said wheel and said switch blade having co-axial mountings.

15. A movable insulator carrying a orn'1, a movable switch blade, and a wheel in direct engagement with said blade, said worm-and wheel being substantially non-reversible un der the ctl'cct of said switch blade.

16. In combination, a switch lade, an operating member, and means for interconnecting the same, said means comprising nonrerersing mechanism including a wornrandwheel, said wheel being movable into and out of abutting relation with said switch blade depending upon the direction of movementof said 0 )erating member.

17, n a device of the class described, the combination with ,a switch blade, of an operating member, and means including a wheel for so interconnecting said operating member and said blade that the latter may be moved into an open position and thereafter held in said position, said wheel having a crank arm, and means alfording a d nit blade..and saidwheel and crank arm a com nonpivotal nionutin".

718. In a device of the class described, a switch blade, a driving worm, and a driven wheel having an elementn'rowiable into abutting relation with said switch blade to actuate the same.

19. In combination, a swit h e1 m nt in a mo'untinga driving worm, and a driven W eel segment having an eleillent movable into abutting relation with said switch elemen at a l ast 0 m point spac d f m said mounting sufficient to provide a desired l a e i 20. In comb nat on, a switch elementhava-mo ngra ope ating nminbe a gear-wheel mechanism for" interconnecting said operating member and sa'i dsw-itch element, \yhereby the former may be substaniallyjmntversibl u der the o sa switch elemengisaiid mechanism including a gearelement having a member in enga genie n t -,w,ith said switch element-.atatimpose point spaced iflOlll said. moimting sutficient to provide desired leverage.

21. In combination, a switch element haviugra meantingan operating insulator stack, and inon-overhauling gear-wheel mechanism for operatively -associating said insulator staok$3id Switch 'eeleinent, said mechanism including a gear-Wheel having .a mounting coaxial with the mounting of said switch element and in engagementwith said element at atleastone pointspaced from said fiIst-mentionedmonnting snificient- ,to provide a,des1ired leyerage.

.22. In combination, a switch blade, .a driving worm a driven wheelpro-vided with a crank arm, means for connecting said arm and said switch blade, 'and means adording said wheel and said switch blade. axially aligned mountings.

23. In combination, spaced relatively movable contact members, insulator stacks for respectively affording mountings for said contact members, an operating stack positionec intermediate said supporting stacks, and gear-wheel mechanism for operatively associating one of said contact members and said operating stack, said mechanism including a gear-wheel in engagement wits said last-mentioned contact member at at least one point spaced from one of said mountings sullicientto provide a desired leverage.

24. A pair of relatively movable contact members, insulators respectively atlording said contact members support-ing mountings, an operating insulator, and non-overhauling mechanism responsive to said operating insulator adapted to move one of said cont-actmembers, one element of said mechanism having a mounting coaxial with the mounting of said last-mentioned contact member and in engagement therewith at a point spaced from said last-mentioned mounting sulficient to atford a desired leverage, said operating insulator being positioned to constitute an inter mediate pivot for said last-mentioned movable contact member should its supporting insulator be rendered ineffective.

25. In combination, relatively movable contact members, of which one is provided with a relatively movable portion, and actuating means for at least one of said contact members including gearing, said means permitting a predetermined lostanotion between itself and said last-mentioned contact member.

26. A switch comprising relatively movable contact members, of which one is provided with a relatively movable portion, and screw-jack means for actuating at least one of said contact members, said means having a lost-motion connection with said last-mentioned member permitting a predetermined relative movement between the latter member and said contact portion.

27. A switch comprising a pair of insulators, contact elements respectively supported on said insulators, one of said contact elements being movable, one of said elements also having a relatively movable contact portion, an actuating insulator, and means in cluding worm-and-wheel mechanism for operatively associating said actuating insulator and at least one of said contact elements.

28. A switch comprising a pair of insulators, contact elements respectively mounted thereon, at least one of said contact elements being movable and provided with a relatively movable contact portion, an actuating insulator rotatable about its axis, and means including worm-and-wheei mechanism for operatively associating said actuating insulator and said movable contact element and relatively movable contact portion, said means permitting a predetermined lost-motion.

29. An electric switch comprising a pair of upright insulator stacks disposed in spaced relation, relatively movable contact members respectively mounted on said insulator stacks, a third insulator stack rotatable about its axis, and means extending between said rotatable insulator stack and at least one of said contact members comprising a worm-and-wheel, whereby a maximum force may be exerted on said last-mentioned contact member with a minimum strain in said third rotatable insulator stack.

30. A switch comprisim a pair of insulators disposed in spaced relation, one of said insulators being rotatable about its axis and provided with a Worm, the other of said insulators being adapted to provide a mounting for a movable switch element and a wheel, said wheel extending between said insulators so as to mesh with said worm.

31. A switch comprising a plurality of insulators, a movable switch element, and means for actuating said switch element comprising a worm and wheel, said worm being mounted on one insulator and said wheel being mounted on another insulator.

32. A switch comprising a pair of insulators, relatively movable contact elements respectively carried by said insulators, an actuating insulator, and means for operatively associating at least one of said relatively movable contact elements and said actuating insulator, said means including screw gearing.

33. A switch comprising a plurality of insulators, a movable switch element, and means for actuating said switch element comprising a worm and wheel, said worm being mounted on one insulator and said wheel being mounted on another insulator, said wheel being adapted to exert a desired leverage on said movable switch element, so that the strains in the insulator on which said worm is mounted may be reduced to a minimum.

WILLIAM R. HUTTINGER. 

